A few days ago, I received my first Sephora Play! box. This box was so hard to get ahold of. There’s a wait list, and there are many different ways to get off of the waitlist, including downloading their app, supposedly. Even so, I’ve been waiting to finally receive one for six months.

It is cost effective, with six items (one is a perfume sample every month though), for only $10. I’m not sure if I will stay subscribed, based on this experience, but I will wait a few more months before making a decision.

I love the bag that all of these products come in. It’s very thin, and not very practical, but it was great for sticking a few things in for poolside on a recent trip to Phoenix. I like the graphics on the front, and, of course, “Lipstix & Chill”.

In This Box

Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Driver’s Seat (sample value: unknown…estimating it to be worth $6, full size: $24)

Farmacy Skin Dew Mist (sample value: $9.06, full size: $44)

The Estée Edit Flash Photo Gloss (sample value: $7.41, full size: $20)

Madame CJ Walker Scent and Shine Coconut Oil (sample value: $2.29, full size: $26)

Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum (sample value: $15, full size: $90)

Derek Lam 10 Crosby Eau De Parfum (sample value: $2.24, full size: $95)

Hits

The best things in this box are the Smashbox Liquid Lipstick and the Drunk Elephant serum. The lipstick is a really close dupe for Kat Von D’s Lolita and is a really flattering warm orange. I didn’t think that it would look good on me, but I love it. It’s also a departure from the usual dusty pink shades. The serum was a surprising win for me. I didn’t think I would like it, but I tucked it into my travel bag and have been able to see how moisturized and healthy my skin looks after only a few days. I don’t know if I can justify that price tag, but I’ll think about it.

Misses

The Farmacy Skin Dew sprays out like a fire hose, soaking my face and making my makeup run. For a “setting spray” this is really not acceptable. I like Farmacy as a brand, but this is not great. If you can get past the packaging, it does moisturize the skin when used before applying makeup. I’ll be using it up, but not repurchasing. The Estee Edit Lip Gloss also falls into this category. It’s supposed to make your teeth look whiter in photos and it doesn’t. It’s gloppy, uncomfortable to wear, and doesn’t deliver on its claims. Solid pass.

Meh

The perfume. Perfumes are personal, and this one isn’t for me. I’m glad that it’s a “bonus” sample and not really included with the other five good-sized samples. I also wasn’t incredibly impressed with the oil. This was mostly because I can get coconut oil anywhere. Besides a vanilla scent, I don’t think that this is special. It’s not worth the extra price and a trip to Sephora.

The total value of the samples included here was $42(ish). I think that is an excellent value and I did get a couple of good products out of it. I can’t wait until next month!

If you’re interested in getting on the waitlist for your own Sephora Play!, you can click here. It’s not an affiliate link. :)